An expert court witness is an individual whose opinion is valued as an authority in a specific field by virtue of their education, occupation, publication, or experience. The individual may be called upon by the court, defense, or prosecution to clarify any given situation in which their individual knowledge of the subject matter will offer a clear understanding. They might be asked to validate, disprove, or add credence to a particular view, situation, or evidence in their specific area of expertise. An experienced and knowledgeable expert court witness can provide their expertise to legal cases.

For the prosecution, state or federal authorities usually will ask their own experts to explain, under oath, the nature of their work and their professional opinion on any evidence presented during the course of a trial. To combat or supplement these opinions and statements, the defense may wish to seek an independent opinion on any evidence or information that is being presented in the court of law.

These persons are simply professing their professional opinion, which is deemed highly knowledgeable or valuable, at the request of the prosecution, defense, or judge. As with all court proceedings, these statements are made under oath and may be cross-examined for their veracity and relevance.

While the statements are simply hypothesis or general speculations on the nature of a piece of evidence, the importance and weight of an expert court witnesses’ word should not be forgotten. Often times, an expert court witnesses testimony will affect, if not completely alter, the results and opinions of a judge or jury. An experienced and knowledgeable expect court witness can provide their expertise to legal cases within specific areas of practice.